Stamping machine for conveyers



June 16,- 1931. 5, PHELPS 1,810,327

STAMPING MACHINE FOR CONVEYERS Original Filed 001;. 8. 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet l HTTORZYEY June 16, 1931. 5, PHELPS I 1,810,327

STAMPING MACHINE FOR CONVEYERS Original Filed Oct. 8, 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 W02.- Ja/w 5. P0405 HTTORJVEY Patented June 16, 1 931 UNITED STATES, PATENT OFFICE JOHN S. PHELPS, OF WHITTIEB, CALIFORNIA STAMPING MACHINE FOR CONVEYERS Application filed October 8, 1928, Serial No. 310,973. Renewed May 19; 1980.

My invention relates to a device for stamping on an article moving along a conveyer system a desired identification mark, such as an identifying serial number, emblem, or

other mark, and the primary object of this invention is to provide a device having elements novel in themselves and novel in combination for accomplishing this end.

It is another object of this invention to provide a device for stamping a mark of identification on an article moving along a conveyer system without arresting the movement of the article.

\ Another object of this invention is toprovide such a device which is actuated by the movement of the article. i

Still a further object of this invention is to provide a device which is operative to place a stamp of identification on a series of articles moving along a conveyer system, this device being operative irrespective of the spacing of these articles along the conveyer system.

While my invention is applicable to any type of article moving along any type of conveyer system, I shall, for the purposes ofdefiniteness and illustration, show and describe one form of stamping device which may be utilized on a belt-type conveyer.

Referring to the drawings in which I have illustrated this embodiment-,

Fig. 1 is a top view of my invention, the

elements being illustrated in the position they assume during the approach of the box to be stamped.

Fig. 2 is a view similar to Fig. 1 illustrating the elements in the position they assume at the instant the box is stamped.

Fig. 3 is a view taken in the direction of the arrow 3 of Fig. 1.

Fig.4 is a perspective view taken substantially as indicated by the arrow 4 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is aperspective view of the reinking device of my invention, this view being taken substantially in the direction of the arrow 5 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 6 illustrates a perspective view, partially broken away, of the retaining and releasin means i 1 to 4, I

of my lnvention. Re erring particularly to Figs.

have illustrated my stamping machine as be ing positioned adjacent a conveyer system 10, the particular system illustrated having an endless belt 11 passing incontact with a series of rolls 12 rotatably mounted in a conveyer frame 13. Supporting plates 14 may be utllized intermediate the rolls 12 for helping to support any article which is carried along the endless conveyer belt 11. This type of co nveyer system is not, in itself a part of this '1IlV6I1t10l'l, and I am thus not limited to this particular type of system. Other systems such. as those in which the articles are moved therealong by gravity or by synchronously driven ,r'olls may also be utilized without departing from the spirit of this invention.

' The stamping machine of my invention is generally indicated by the numeral 15, and is provided with a frame 16 suitably secured to the conveyer frame 13 a distance away therefrom. I have illustrated the frame 16 as comprising ,an angle-iron 17 extending from a point a distance above the conveyer belt 11'downward to the floor supporting the conveyer system.

A series of articles, one of which is illustrated in the form of a box- 20, is moved through a definite path of travel along the conveyer system 10. This embodiment of my invention is adapted to stamp on a front surface 21 of each box a desired identification mark, although by suitable design such nomenclature may be stamped on a rear or other surface of the box. Whi1e I have illustrated the surface 21' asbeing in a plane perpendicular tothedirection of movement of the box, this position of the surface to be stamped is not essential to my invention.

The actual stamping is' accomplished by a stamping means 22, member 23, this member being'pivoted on a vertical shaft 24 mounted in bearing blocks 25 and 26 which are suitably secured to the angle-iron 17, as. best illustrated inFig. 4. The stamping member '23 is formed of a piece of tubing or shafting and is positioned dimeans of a nut 26 threaded to the upper end of this shaft.

The stamping member 23 is adapted to be mounted on a stamping i The onto position of the surface 21 of the box 20 so that resiliently moved into the path of travel of the box'20 by'means of a tension spring 27 this spring being stretched between an arm 28 secured to the angle-iron I7 and a member 29. suitably secured to thestamping member 23. 1

The stamping member 23 is normall held in a retracted position illustrated in ig. 1 by a retaining means 31 in the form of a catch 32 having aspring-o erated beveled blade 33. This blade may withdrawn into the body of the catch against the action of the spring b a knob 34 in a well-known manner. 32 is mounted on an arm 35 secured to the angle-iron 17, the osition of this arm being best illustrated in igs. 1 and 2.

The free end of the stamping member 23 is provided with a hook 36 which bears against the beveled surface of theblade 33 when this stamping member is moving into retracted position, thus forcing the blade inward until the hook is sufficiently advanced so that the blade may be returned outward by the action of the spring. At this time the blade will engage the hook as indicated in Fig. 1 to prevent the spring 27 from moving the stamping member 23 into an operating position, in which position this stamping member lies in the path of travel of the box 20.

The retaining means 31 is adapted to be released by a releasing means 37 in the form of a catch 38, similar to the catch 32. The body of the catch 38 is mounted on a bell crank 39 pivoted on a pin 40 which is held in a U- shaped box 41, as best illustrated in Fig. 6, this box being secured to the free end ofthe arm 35. The bell crank 39 is provided with an arm 43 which is connected to the knob 34 by a link 44 so that by moving the bell crank 39 in a direction indicated by arrows 45 in Figs. 1 and 6, the blade 33 of the catch 32 will be drawn inward against the action of the spring so as to release the hook 36 and allow the spring 27 to throw the stamping member 23 into the path of travel of the box 20. The releasing means 37 is timed by the the stamping means 22 comes into surface contact with the surface 21 of the box at the instant the stamping member 23 and box 20 are in a position illustrated in Fig. 2.

This timing is accomplished by means of an actuating member which normally extends into the path of travel of the box 20. As best illustrated in Figs. 1, 2, and 4, this actuating member comprises a main arm 51 and a contactin arm 52, these arms being secured together 5' one or more bolts 53 positioned at one en of the contacting arm, the other end of this contacting arm bein in spaced relationship relative to the end of the main arm 51. The contacting arm 52 is preferably formed of spring steel, and has a 100 portion 54 formed on the free end thereo tacting arms 51 and 52 in a manner to vary the timing of the device.

A hinge member 60 is suitably secured to the main arm 51 and has an opening therethrough adapted to receive the vertical shaft 24, the hinge member 60 lying between the bearing blocks 25 and 26. The main arm 51 extends beyond the bin e member and is bent as best illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2, there being a Ii 62 mounted on the extreme end of this main arm. The lip'62 is adapted to be retained behind a spring-operated beveled blade 63, sliding in the main body of the releasing catch. 38, when the mechanism is in the position shown in Fig. 1. The lip 62 may be made ad'ustable relative to the main arm 51 if desire As the box 20 moves along the conveyer system, the surface 21 contacts the arm 52 g t us pivoting the actuating member 50 about the shaft 24, and thus moving the end of the lip 62 in an arcuate path concentric with the axis of this path, this path being indicated by dotted lines 64 of Fig. 1. This movement of the lip causes the bell crank 39 to be turned in the direction of the arrows 45 until the blade 33 of the retaining catch 32 has been drawn inward a sufficient distance so as to release the stamping member 23 which then moves into contact with the surface 21, as previously explained. This movement of the bell crank 39 takes place against the action of a spring 65.

It should be understood that the movement of the box 20 is uninterrupted, so that the actuating member is moved 1nto a position indicated in Fig. 2 after, or at the instant, the stamping member 23 is released. This movement of the actuating member 50 continues, thus moving the tip of the blade 63 of the releasing catch 38 in an arcuate path around the axis of the pin 40, this path being indicated by dotted lines 67. When the arouate paths of the lip 62 and blade 63 intersect, this blade will be released, and the releasing and retaining means will assume the position indicated in Figs. 1 and 2.

In order that the mark placed on the surface 21 of the box be not smeared, it is desirable to withdraw the stamping member 23 from contact therewith after an instantaneous contact between the surface 21 and the stamping means 22. This I accomplish by a connecttigg means in the form of a rod 7 0, best illustra in Figs. 1 to 4. The upper end of this rod is bent around the cylindrical portion of the/stamping member 23 and is retained in place by pins 71 so as to be pivotable about the axis of this stamping member. The rod 7 0 extends downward due to its own weight, and the'movement of the lower end thereof is restrained by a guide member 72 -which is preferably formed of a strip; of

spring steel bent as'illustrated in. Figs. 1, ,2, and 4, this guide member being secured to the angle-iron 17. A free end 7 3 of the guide member 2 extends toward the conveyer system a greater distance than does an end 74 so as to restrain the lower end of the rod 70 when in a position shown in-Fig. 2. l

The rod 7 O and guide member 7 2 are so positioned that at the instant contact is completed between the stamping means and the box, this rod will be contactin the hinge member 60, and the lower end will be engaging the forward end 73 of the guide member 72, as, best illustrated in Fig. 4.

As the box 20 moves along a conveyer system,

the actuating member 50 is further pivoted about the vertical shaft 24, thus forcing the' upper end of the rod .7 0 in a direction indicated by the arrow 75 of Fig. 4, due to the fact that the lower end of the rod 70 is retained in the guide member 72.

This guide member acts as a fulcrum for the lower end of the rod 70 and due to the increased leverage between the members 23. and 50, due to the relative positions of the i and members 23 and 50, the stampfulcrum ing member 23 will be quickly withdrawn from the surface 21. A further movement of the actuating member will move the stamping member 23 into its retracted position illustrated in Fig. 1, at which time the hook 36 engages the blade 33 of the retaining means 31. The stamping means is usually formed of rubber and hasa decided rebound action I when striking the box. This rebound prevents any smearing inasmuch as'the stamping means is quickly separated from contact with the box and is prevented from again engaging the box by the rod 7 0 operatively connecting the members 23 and'50 to withdraw the former member from the path of travel. The rod 7 0 and the members 23 and 50 thus cooperate tocatch the stamping means on the rebound.

' During the further movement of thebox, the actuating member 50 is thrown outof the path of travel of the box, and remains out of this path of travelwith the contacting arm I 52 sliding along the side. of the box 20 until the box has passed beyond the loop portion 54, at which time the actuating member returns to its postion illustrated in Fig. 1 through the action of a spring 75a, which causes the lip 62 to engage the sloping surface of the blade 63 so that this blade mo mentarily moves inward and again springs outward to retain the actuating-member in its of the rod an operating therein,

position shown in Fig. 1. The position to which the actuating member may swing into the pathof travel of the box ma mined by a suitable stop means,b found that the engagement between the lip 62 and the arm 35 acts as a stop means if the spring a is too strong.

- I have found it desirable to reink the stamping means 22 before each contact with a box. This I accomplish by a reinking means which is operated by motion derived from the movement of the particular box 20 passmg through the stamping machine 15. This relnking may most conveniently take place whenthe stamping member 23 is in a retracted position, as shown in Fig. 1.

Referring particularly to Figs. 1, 2, 3, and 5 I illustrate a reinking pad 81 pivoted on a' horizontal shaft 82 supported between arms 83, these arms being secured to the arm 35. This reinking pad is adapted to move from a reinking position illustrated in ing means 22, and into an open position illustrated in Fig. 2 wherein the reinking pad moves into a position above the stamping member, this movement taking place through arm 83a. This operating arm is best formed as illustrated in Figs. 2 and 5, and is bent so as to extend parallel to the reinking pad 81, but a distance therefrom, leaving a channel 84 therebetween. Extending into this channel is a pin 85 to which is secured a spring 86, this spring serving as a toggle to hold the inking pad either in a reinking position illustrated by full lines in Fig. 5 or in an open position illustrated by dotted lines 86a of Fig. 5. This latter position being determined when the reinking pad engages a stop. 87 In the former position, the axis of the spring 86 the axis of the shaft 82, while in the other position the axis of this spring lies to the other side of the axis of this shaft,

The free end of the operating arm 83a extends beyond the center line of the shaft 82 and contains a pin 88 which fits loosely in a hook 89 formed on the upper end of a reinking arm 90. Thus by moving the reinking arm 90 from its full line position shown in Fig. 5 into its dotted line position shown the reinking pad 81 will be moved from its closed or'full line position into its open or dotted line position.

The reinking arm 90 is bent in a manner best shown in Figs. 1, 2, and 3, so as to form cam portions 91 and 92 forming an apex 93 which extends into the path of travel of the box 20 when the reinking arm is in a position shown in Fig. 1. This reinking arm is pivoted on a vertical shaft '94 carried by the conveyer frame 13, and

lies to one side of' has a free end 95 to which a tension spring 96 is connected, this be deterut I have 20 as just coming into contact with this conveyer frame 13. The bell crank 99 also has a reinking arm 101 extending into the path of travel of the box 20 in a manner best shown in Fig. 1. To distinguish the reinking arms 90 and 101, the arm 101 has been termed a primary reinking arm, while the arm 90 has been termed a secondary reinking arm. The box 20 contacts the primary reinking arm before moving to a position in which it contacts the actuating member 50.

Thus, in Fig. 1, I have illustrated the box r1- mar reinkin arm. As the box moves ibrwar the reinking arm'101 will be moved into its dotted line position 102 or into its full line position shown in Fig. 2. During this movement, the 'rod 97 and spring 96 move the secondary reinking arm 90 in a manner to move the reinking pad 81 into open position. After the rear end of the box 20 has passed beyond the end of the primary reinking arm 101 when in its dotted line position 102, the sprin 96 will partly return this arm 101 to its fu 1 line position shown in Fig. 1. However, due to the fact that at this time the forward end of the box has reached a point adjacent or beyond the apex 93, the secondary reinking arm 90 will not again move into the path of travel of the box until after the rear corner of the box slides along the cam surface 92. At this time the reinking pad is moved into contact with the stamping means 22, due to the action of a spring 119 which returns the primary and secondary reinking arms to their position indicated in Fig. 1 in which position the primary reinking arm engages a stop 120. The reinking pad remains in contact with the stamping means until the next box contacts the primary rei'nkin arm 101.

%)ne important feature of this invention is the fact that no external power need be supplied to the stamping machine, the power required to operate this machine being derived from the source of power driving the box or from the kinetic energy storedin the Another important feature is that my machine is operative to stamp each of the series of boxes passing along the conveyer system 10 irrespective of whether or not these boxes are spaced equally therealong or irrespective of the relative size of these boxes.

Still another important feature is the provision of reinking means for the stamping means, these two means being in engagement except during the time that a box is passing through the stamping machine.

. It should, of course, be understood that I am not limited to the particular embodiment shown, this embodiment being shown and described only for the purpose of illustra- I have found the form illustrated in the The adjusting means 58 not only permits an accurate ad ustment of the relative position of the surface 21 and the stamping means 22, but also acts as a shock-absorbing means, the s ring 57 being slightly compressed when the x 20 first contacts the contacting arm 52.

In stam ing long boxes it is usually unnecessary to ave the seconda reinking arm extend into the path of trave of the box, due to the fact that the primary reinking arm holds the reinking-means in open position until after the stamping arm is retained in retracted position. Thus, I am not limited to the use of two reinking arms.

While the use of the spring 75a is usually advantageous, I have found it possible to sometimes dispense with this spring and utilize the rebound action of the spring 55 for this purpose. This spring is ordinarily compressedto a considerable extent, and its quick expansion after the rear end of the box has passed the loop portion 54 swings the actuating member into a position shown in Fi 1.

I c aim as my invention 1. In combination with a conveyer system which an article moves: a stamping drawings to give very satisfactory results/ along) mem er movable into and from the path of the rebound to prevent further contact thereof with said article; and means actuated by the movement of said article for withdrawing said stamping means from said path of travel.

3. In combination with a conveyer system along which an article moves: a reboundable stamping means movable into contact with a surface of said article; means controlled by the position of said surface for moving said stamping means into contact with said surface; and means for catching said stamping means on the rebound to prevent further contact thereof with said article.

4. In combination with a conveyer system along which an article moves: a reboundable stamping means movable into contact with a surface of said article; means controlled by the position of said surface for moving said stamping means into and from contact with further stamping means movable into contact with said article; means contacting said moving article for controlling the movement of said stamping means into contact with said moving article; and means for catching said stamping means on the rebound to preventcontact thereof with said article.

6. In combination with a conveyer system along which an article moves: a reboundable stamping member resiliently mounted in a manner to move into the path of travel of said article; retaining means for holding said stamping member out of said path of travel; an actuating member adapted to contact said article to release said stamping member; and means for catching said stamping means on the rebound to prevent further contact thereof with said article.

7. A combination as defined in claim 6 in which said stamping member and said actuating member are pivoted on a shaft mounted to one side of said path of travel.

8. Imcombination with a conveyer system along which'an article moves: a reboundable stamping member resiliently mounted in a manner to move into the path of travel of said article; retaining means for holding said stamping member out of said path of travel; an actuating member adapted to contact said article to release said stamping member; means for catching said stamping means on the rebound to prevent further contact thereof with said article; and means operatively connecting said stamping member and said actuating member for withdrawing said stamping member from said path of travel.

9. In combination with a conveyer system along which an article moves: a reboundable Y stamping means movable into and from the path of travel of said article in a manner to contact with said artlcle; means for catching said stamping means on the rebound toprevent further contact thereof with said article; an actuating member controlling the position of said stamping means; and reinking means for said stamping means controlled by the movement of'said article.

' 10. A combination as defined in claim 9 in which said reinking means includes a reinking arm extending into the path of travel of said article.

11. In combination with a conveyer system along which an article moves: a stamping means movable into and from the path of travel of said article in a manner to cont-act with" said article; an actuating member controlling the position of said stamping means; and reinking means for said stamping means controlled by the movement of saidarticle and including primary and secondary mink-- ing arms extending into said path of travel on opposite sides of said actuating member.

12. In combination with a conveyer system along which an article moves: a stamping means movable into and from the path of travel of said article in a manner to contact with said article; an actuating member con-. trolling the position of said stamping means; reinking means for said stamping means controlled by the movement of said article and including primary and secondary reinking arms extending into said'path of travel on opposite sides of said actuating member; and a toggle-operated reinking pad adapted to engage said stamping means.

13. In combination with a conveyer system along which an article has a continuous movement: a stamping member movable into and from the path of travel of said article by motive power derived from the movement of said article; stamping means carried by said stamping member and adapted to engage a surface of said article which is non-parallel to the direction of movement of said article; and adjusting means for controlling the relative positions of said article and said stamping means at the instant of contact therebetween.

1 1. In combination with a conveyer system along which an article moves: a stamping member adapted to move into the path of travel of said article; an actuating member for controlling the movement of said stamp-- ing member into the path of travel of said article; and a connecting membercarried by one of said members and adapted to contact the other of said members to move said stamping member from the path of travel of said article.

15. In combination with a conveyer system along which an article moves: a stamping member adapted to move into the. path of travel of said article; an actuating member extending into said path of travel to be moved by said article; means for moving said stamping member into said path of travel when said actuating member first moves; and means operatively connecting said stamping member and said actuating member during justable means for selectively varying the time of operation of said stamping means relative to the travel of said article.

- means for selectively varying the time of operation of said stamping means relative to the travel of said article; and reinkin means controlled by said article to reink sai stam ing means after said article has passed t e v stamping zone in its travel.

18. In combination with a conveyer system along which articles may move in promiscuous sequence: a stamping mechanism operable onl in the resence of one of said articles, sai mechanism including a reboundable stamping means movable into stam ing contact with said article; and means or catching said stamping means on the rebound prevent further contact thereof with said article.

19. In combination with a conveyer system along which an article moves: a stem ing means movable into contact with said article; control means normally in the path of said article and operable thereby to control said stamping means; and a yielding shock-absorbing means on said control means to cushion the engagement therewith of said article.

20. In combination with a conveyer system along which an article moves: a reboundable stamping means movable into contact with a surface of said article, said stamping means including resilient parts making it rebound in response to striking said article; and means for actuating said stamping means toward said surface so that it will engage and rebound therefrom.

21. In combination with a conveyer system along which an article moves: a reboundable stamping means movable into contact with a surface of said article, said stamping means including resilient parts making it rebound in response to striking said article; means for actuating said stamping means to-' ward said surface so that it will engage and rebound therefrom; and means forwithdrawing said stamping means to fully retracted position.

22. In combination with a conveyer system along which an article moves: a reboundable stamping means movable into contact with a surface of said article; means for actuating said stamping means toward said surface so that it will engage and rebound therefrom; and means operated by said article moving along said conveyer aftersaid article has been stamped for withdrawing said stamping means to fully retracted position.

23. A stamping device for use with a conveyer system along which an article moves, including: a stamping member adapted for stamping enga ement with said article; means for impe in said stamping member toward said artic e whereby to produce stamping en agement; resilient means cooperative wit said stamping member at the end of its stroke to instantaneously move said stam ing member from engagement with said artic e; and means operated in response to movement of said article after it has been stamped for further withdrawing said stampingmember from said article.

24. A stampin device for use with a conveyer along whic an article moves, including: a stamping member having a stamp for imprinting said article; actuating means for carrying said stamping member into instantaneous engagement with said article whereby to accomplish imprintin of said article without blurring the imprint made thereon; withdrawing means engaging said stamping member after said stampin member has engaged said article, for wit drawing said stamping member to a retracted position; and re-inking means at said retracted osition for re-inking said stamping mem- 25. A stamping device for use with a conveyer along which an article moves, including: a stamping member having a stamp for imprinting said article; actuating means for carrying said stamping member into in- Y stantaneous engagement with said article whereby to accomplish imprinting of said article without blurring the im rint made thereon; and means operated y said article moving after said instantaneous engagement for withdrawing said stamping member into fully retracted position.

26. In combination with a conveyer along which an article moves: a stamping member adapted for stam ing engagement with said article; a latch or holding said stamping member in retracted position; means normally forcing said stamplng member toward said article; an actuating member for controlling the stampin movement of said stamping member; an a connecting member carried by one of said members and adapted to contact the other of said members to move said stampin member into re-enga ement with said late as said actuating member is moved by said article.

27. In combination with a conveyer along which an article moves: a stamping member adapted for stamping engagement with said article; spring means normally urging said stamping member toward stamping enga ementwith said article; control means or controlling the movement of said stamping membera retracting member engaged and moved by said article; and a connecting member carried by one of said members and Ill adapted to cont-act the other of said members to move said stampingmember into'retracted position.

In testimon whereof, I have hereunto set my hand at OS Angeles, California, this 22nd day of September, 1928.

JOHN STPHELPS. 

